Modular structural louver and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems that include structural supports and louvers, and may also include dampers, actuators and wiring in pre-assembled modules that may be transported to a building site, tilted up into place, and installed. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems which include integrated vertical and horizontal structural supports, allowing for the elimination of some vertical and horizontal wall structures in a building by relying on the structural support provided in the modular louvered systems, thereby making more space available in the building for louvers and airflow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pre-assembled modular structural louver system comprising:
 a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 a plurality of louvers attached to the frame wherein at least one vertical side flange is provided along an outside edge of said plurality of louvers, each such flange having a first surface that is sealed against one of said vertical support members and a second surface that is configured to fit flush against a wall panel upon installation; 
 a plurality of damper support members attached to said vertical support members; and 
 a plurality of dampers, each of said dampers being attached to one of said plurality of damper support members; 
 wherein the modular structural louver system is configured to be completely assembled at a location other than a construction site of the building for subsequent transport to the construction site of the building for installation thereon. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular structural louver system of  claim 1  further comprising a catwalk attached to an intermediate one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
       3. The modular structural louver system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of electronic actuators, at least one of said plurality of actuators being attached to one of said plurality of dampers. 
     
     
       4. The modular structural louver system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of wires wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to at least one of said plurality of actuators. 
     
     
       5. A pre-assembled modular structural louver system comprising:
 a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 a plurality of louvers attached to the frame wherein outside vertical flanges are provided on said louvers wherein one surface of each of said flanges is sealed against an edge of one of said vertical support members, and wherein an opposite surface of each of said flanges is configured to fit flush against a wall panel upon installation; 
 a plurality of damper support members attached to said vertical support members; 
 a plurality of dampers, each of said dampers being attached to one of said plurality of damper support members; 
 wherein the modular structural louver system is configured to be completely assembled at a location other than a construction site of the building for subsequent transport to the construction site of the building for installation thereon. 
 
     
     
       6. The modular structural louver system of  claim 5  further comprising a catwalk attached to an intermediate one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
       7. A method for constructing a building comprising the steps of:
 a. at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling at least one structural louver system comprising the steps of:
 (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 (ii) attaching a plurality of louvers to the frame wherein vertical flanges are provided on outside edges of said louvers, each such vertical flange comprising an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the outside surface is configured to fit flush against a wall panel upon installation; 
 (iii) sealing the inside surfaces of said vertical flanges against edges of said vertical secondary support members; 
 (iv) attaching a plurality of damper support members to said vertical support members; 
 (v) attaching a plurality of dampers to said plurality of damper support members; 
 
 b. transporting said at least one structural louver system in an assembled state to the construction site of the building; and 
 c. installing said at least one structural louver system on the building. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  comprising the additional step of attaching a catwalk to an intermediate one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of electronic actuators to said structural louver system wherein at least one of said plurality of actuators is attached to one of said plurality of dampers before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of wires to said structural louver system wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said plurality of actuators before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building. 
     
     
       11. A method for increasing an amount of air available for circulation in a louvered building comprising the steps of:
 a. creating a design for the louvered building to include at least one modular structural louver system with vertical and horizontal structural supports in order to reduce space taken up by walls of said building such that additional space is available for louvers; 
 b. at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling said at least one modular structural louver system comprising the steps of:
 (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 (ii) attaching a plurality of louvers to the frame wherein vertical flanges are provided on outside edges of said louvers, each such vertical flange comprising an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the outside surface is configured to fit flush against a wall panel upon installation; 
 (iii) sealing the inside surfaces of said vertical flanges against edges of said vertical secondary support members; 
 (iv) attaching a plurality of damper support members to said vertical support members; 
 (v) attaching a plurality of dampers to said plurality of damper support members; 
 
 c. transporting said at least one structural louver system in an assembled state to the construction site of the building; and 
 d. installing said at least one structural louver system on the building. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional step of attaching a catwalk to an intermediate one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of electronic actuators to said structural louver system wherein at least one of said plurality of actuators is attached to one of said plurality of dampers before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building.